Commission backs stormwater and wetland compensation plan for industrial‑site NRSE at West Forest Home Avenue

Planning staff told the commission the application for 11311 West Forest Home Avenue covers a legacy industrial condo site where a stormwater detention pond and adjacent wetland buffers require remediation and compensation. Staff said the project proposes to reconnect and re-route piping to the pond, remove silt, and restore hydrology while establishing compensation areas to achieve compensation ratios in excess of the UDO minimums (staff reported combined compensation ratios of about 1.51 and 1.54).

Staff also described a draft conservation easement that would be recorded to protect the restored features while allowing the applicant maintenance access so they can continue preventive maintenance. Staff emphasized that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources does not regulate setbacks in exactly the same way as Franklin’s ordinance; as a result the city’s required compensation and review by parks staff governs the commission’s recommendation.

Applicants and their engineer answered technical questions about the pumping and piping work, the use of concrete pipe to minimize future root intrusion, and the limited vegetation removal proposed in the pond area. Commissioners asked how long the drainage problem had persisted; an applicant said the parking-lot drainage issues had been tracked since 2019 and the proposed work is intended to be a long-term fix rather than repeated repaving.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the NRSE for Intercon/Ancon Company; the motion was seconded and carried. Staff will record the conservation easement language and ensure the compensation areas and maintenance provisions are included in the final NRPP and permit documents.